Sports / Local
Mwaruwari hands out football kits
28 Aug 2014 at 06:50hrs | Views
Former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari finally handed out the much awaited prizes for his U16 invitational tournament at the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) Bulawayo offices on Tuesday.
The tournament was staged in Bulawayo last May.
Prior to the staging of the junior tournament, Mwaruwari had pledged sporting marchandise as sponsorship and he finally fulfilled the promise this week when he handed out 60 soccer balls and football kits to the teams that participated in the event and also awarded scholarships to a number of outstanding players.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, guest of honour and Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda lauded Mwaruwari for rewarding the youngsters' efforts, saying it was a move in the right direction in terms of local grassroots football development.
"I would like to thank Benjani (Mwaruwari) for the great gesture because it is good for grassroots development and I would like to urge all former players and stakeholders in the football fraternity to unite for a common goal, which is soccer development," said Sibanda.
"Zimbabwean football is on a low at the moment due to infighting and finger pointing and it is not good for the future of the sport. Our efforts should instead be dedicated to promoting the game's development."
Meanwhile, Mwaruwari encouraged other football stakeholders to follow his example and play a part in the development of local football, particularly at entry level.
"This is the start of great things and with assistance from others, I know that we will get far as it is the same players who we are honouring today that will pass on the baton and do the same for the next generations," he said.
The Benjani Mwaruwari tournament, which has produced players such stars as Bantu Rovers' Bukhosi Sibanda, was this year won by Mpumelelo Juniors.
The other teams that competed in the tournament are Santos FC, Ajax Hotspurs, Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn, Magwegwe Stars and Mvuthu Juniors from Esigodini.
From this year's event, 12 players have been selected to become the pioneers at the Benjani Mwaruwari Academy which is set to be established soon.
The tournament was staged in Bulawayo last May.
Prior to the staging of the junior tournament, Mwaruwari had pledged sporting marchandise as sponsorship and he finally fulfilled the promise this week when he handed out 60 soccer balls and football kits to the teams that participated in the event and also awarded scholarships to a number of outstanding players.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, guest of honour and Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda lauded Mwaruwari for rewarding the youngsters' efforts, saying it was a move in the right direction in terms of local grassroots football development.
"I would like to thank Benjani (Mwaruwari) for the great gesture because it is good for grassroots development and I would like to urge all former players and stakeholders in the football fraternity to unite for a common goal, which is soccer development," said Sibanda.
Meanwhile, Mwaruwari encouraged other football stakeholders to follow his example and play a part in the development of local football, particularly at entry level.
"This is the start of great things and with assistance from others, I know that we will get far as it is the same players who we are honouring today that will pass on the baton and do the same for the next generations," he said.
The Benjani Mwaruwari tournament, which has produced players such stars as Bantu Rovers' Bukhosi Sibanda, was this year won by Mpumelelo Juniors.
The other teams that competed in the tournament are Santos FC, Ajax Hotspurs, Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn, Magwegwe Stars and Mvuthu Juniors from Esigodini.
From this year's event, 12 players have been selected to become the pioneers at the Benjani Mwaruwari Academy which is set to be established soon.
Source - Zim Mail
